Bishops Speak Out Against Adultery Ads - Internet Site Promotes Dating Service for Married People

[thereseozi]

ZE08111410 - 2008-11-14
Permalink: zenit.org/article-24261?l=english

Bishops Speak Out Against Adultery Ads

Internet Site Promotes Dating Service for Married People

BOSTON, Massachusetts, NOV. 14, 2008 (Zenit.org).- The bishops of Massachusetts are defending the institution of marriage in the face of advertising in the state that promotes adultery.

The bishops said they were “compelled to speak in support of marriage” after seeing advertisements of an Internet dating site for married people looking for adulterous relationships.

The statement was published today and signed by Cardinal Sean O’Malley, the archbishop of Boston, Bishop Timothy McDonnell of Springfield, Bishop George Coleman of Fall River and Bishop Robert McManus of Worcester.

“This wrongful enterprise threatens not only the oldest and most foundational of human institutions but also the common good of all,” the bishops said. "Marriage requires honesty, loyalty, trust, self-sacrifice, personal responsibility, respect, and commitment.

“Marriage is a vocation that benefits all of society by building and strengthening human relationships within the family home and beyond with relatives, neighbors and one’s community. Marriage is the basis for the family, the fundamental human society. A healthy committed marriage helps to insure the well-being of children, create social stability and improve the quality of life for all citizens.”

The prelates said the advertising “will not benefit families and the ads send the wrong message to our young.”

“The ad campaign will further erode the unique and important role that marriage has in contributing to the common good,” they said. “Where marriage is weakened the social cost is enormous.”

Commending the media outlets that refused the ads, the bishops asked more to do the same.

“We honor and support those couples who have committed themselves to each other in the vocation of marriage,” they added, “and offer prayers that they remain strong in the face of increasing social pressures to abandon their promise of fidelity.”

© Innovative Media, Inc.

Reprinting ZENIT’s articles requires written permission from the editor.

 

[KathleenElsie]

Nothing surprises me any longer. We need to pray pray pray pray and never cease talking to God.

 

[Teelynn]

Nothing surprises me any longer. We need to pray pray pray pray and never cease talking to God.

Pray also to the Blessed Mother to ask her intercession. Ask her for resurgence of purity for our country.:bighanky:

By Thy Holy and Immaculate Conception O Mary, Deliver us from Evil.

 

[edwest2]

We must also express ourselves. Not that many years ago, a Detroit newspaper began running such ads under the title “Wild Hearts.” It was clear from reading the ads that the heart had nothing to do with it.

True love, committed love, is worth having. Casual sexual relationships are sinful, it’s fornication or adultery if one or both are married to others. Our society must hear us say: No, this is wrong, and why.

Peace,
Ed

 

[Teelynn]

We must also express ourselves. Not that many years ago, a Detroit newspaper began running such ads under the title “Wild Hearts.” It was clear from reading the ads that the heart had nothing to do with it.

True love, committed love, is worth having. Casual sexual relationships are sinful, it’s fornication or adultery if one or both are married to others. Our society must hear us say: No, this is wrong, and why.

Peace,
Ed

Right, society must hear us say in a VERY LOUD VOICE: NO! THIS IS WRONG!!!

We are at WAR here people. Smack dab in the middle of the most tremendous battle the world has ever known. With battles being waged on all fronts, even within our own Church. But we have weapons…Christ and His Mother have given us many…the Sacraments, Prayer and ESPECIALLY THE ROSARY. I believe it was Fr. Z who said that no longer can Catholic people remain complacent. Not possible any longer.
Now is the time to pray, fast, and band together.

 

[jfhh]

There are many inaccuracies in the Zenit article. Catholic journalism is much lower quality than mainstream journalism. The only exception I know of is John Allen. He is an excellent journalist as evidenced by his respect from both liberal and orthodox Catholics and also from CNN. But mainstream journalism often doesn’t understand Catholicism. John Allen is the best of both worlds.

Here are some mainstream articles on the subject that are more accurate for the most part and also contain much more info (articles are much longer – the added info may be b/c Zenit is out of date and these articles are much more recent)

(2 pages, Nov. 21)
thebostonpilot.com/article.asp?ID=7245

(1 page, Nov. 18)
telegram.com/article/20081118/NEWS/811180564/1006/NEWS07

Now let me correct the falsehoods in Zenit (not the OP’s fault; it’s Zenit’s fault)

ZE08111410 - 2008-11-14
Internet Site Promotes Dating Service for Married People

BOSTON, Massachusetts, NOV. 14, 2008 (Zenit.org).- The bishops of Massachusetts are defending the institution of marriage in the face of advertising in the state that promotes adultery.

The bishops said they were “compelled to speak in support of marriage” after seeing advertisements of an Internet dating site for married people looking for adulterous relationships.

According to the dating site, it is open not just to married people but also to single people. Maybe some of the ads were marketed to married people, but that doesn’t excuse this poor journalism IMO. Just going to the dating site and looking at its FAQ would have answered the question. Poor journalism is a hallmark of Dailykos (with exceptions); I hope Zenit does better in the future. The FAQ implies quite clearly that the single members are free to just seek relationships with other single members. In another part of the FAQ it states:
Ashley Madison:

Q: Does Ashley Madison encourage infidelity?

A: No, Ashley Madison does not encourage anyone to stray. In fact, if you are having difficulty with your relationship, you should seek counseling.

However, if you still feel that you will seek a person other than your partner to fill your unmet needs, then we truly believe that our service is the best place to start.

At Ashley Madison, you can communicate with other like-minded adults who may be more sympathetic to your circumstances. You never compromise your safety, privacy or security and will never have to reveal your identity unless you choose to.

You can go at your own pace and change your mind any time you wish.

Now that may still be morally unacceptable, but on a strategic level, it is with all due respect, unwise for the bishops to speak out and make public statements. That only generates more publicity.

For all I know this could just be a marketing gimmick – I’m not saying it is, I’m just saying theoretically it is a possibility.

Anyway, in this kind of business, any publicity is good publicity. Bishops are just giving them free publicity.

My personal view (independent of what may be true of the dating service), is that promises should be kept if possible. But if people are in “open marriages” then we live in a free society and we need to respect that. We should discourage peacefully destructive behaviours. But discouraging it unpeacefully by restricting free speech (by trying to prevent commercials from being aired or choosing not to air them), is not good IMO.

This is not a new company. One article above states it seems they go back to 2002, though the website seems to say 2001.

I hope that no one will be so unwise as to use Massachussets law against adultery which is never enforced today to attack this company or the media that have chosen to run their ads. I don’t know if this legal angle had anything to do with the refusal of a couple media outlets to run ads.

 

[Holly3278]

Good. Somebody needs to speak out against these disgusting ads and who better than bishops? I did not know that these ads existed but frankly, I am not surprised that they do. The world we live in is so immoral. I hope Jesus comes back quickly.